“Not that he’s going to set the world on fire” - Ravi Shastri discusses Rohit Sharma’s batting position for BGT 2024-25 3rd Test
Former Indian all-rounder turned commentator Ravi Shastri felt skipper Rohit Sharma should return to the top of the batting order for the all-important third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test at Brisbane, starting December 14. After missing India's victorious first Test at Perth, Rohit returned for the second encounter at Adelaide.
However, to continue with the opening partnership between KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal that won India the series opener, Rohit batted at No. 6 in the Adelaide Test. Yet, India's batting struggled with scores of 180 and 175 in the two innings en route to a ten-wicket defeat.
Skipper Rohit looked woefully out of sorts in the lower middle order, scoring a combined 9 runs in the two innings. Talking about his batting position for the upcoming Brisbane outing, Shastri was quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald as saying:
"(Opening) That’s where he’s been at his best over the last eight or nine years. It’s not that he’s going to set the world on fire – he could – but that’s the place that’s best for him. To lead from the front. If he has to do damage, if he has to throw the first punch, that’s the best place from where he can do it. And it is important that India get their judgment right here, because 1-1 in the series, this is the moving Test match."
Rohit hadn't batted anywhere but the top in the red-ball format since the 2018/19 Australian tour. The 37-year-old has opened in 64 out of his 113 Test innings, averaging over 44 with nine centuries.
"I feel whichever team wins this Test match will win the series" - Ravi Shastri
Ravi Shastri termed the upcoming third Test as series-defining, predicting the winner of the Brisbane Test to emerge victorious in the five-match series.
India have defeated Australia in their previous four bilateral Test series, including the last two Down Under. Both the 2018/19 and 2020/21 series in Australia were tied at 1-1 before India ultimately triumphed by 2-1 margins.
"I feel whichever team wins this Test match will win the series. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind. So it is very, very important that India get the balance right, because Australia have got the confidence back," said Shastri.
Team India will have fond memories of Brisbane, having clinched the 2020/21 Australia series with a three-wicket win at the venue.